Who is He? About Banksy: Famously Anonymous Street Artist

The life of the street artist is, by necessity, one of anonymity. In many of the world’s cities, the most noticeable and breathtaking pieces of art aren’t created by world-renowned talents. They are created by the unknown street artist under cover of darkness. We never see them and they are known only by their tagging pseudonyms. This is part one of our complete eight-part guide to Banksy Art and Graffiti..

UK-based street artist Banksy is a notable half-exception to this rule. His work is currently seen around the planet. There are few in the art world (street or otherwise) who don’t know his signature style. The exception, though, is that no one is sure just who he is. There have been many claims to know his true identity but none have ever been definitive to date.

Who is Banksy? We may not know his real name, but his art is unmistakably the work of a passionate individual. So what do we know about Banksy? His paintings, stencils, and other art pieces frequently address serious social issues. He takes on capitalism, war, poverty, and governments with grace. His work often displays a keen sense of humor, making it equally possible that you will laugh or cast your eyes down thoughtfully upon seeing a Banksy piece.

And although the pseudonym and the signature style of the artist are well known, there’s not much else that we know for sure about Banksy. A few tidbits of information are widely accepted: he is from Bristol, UK, and got involved in graffiti art sometime in the early 90s. He began to gain widespread notoriety around 2003. He was born in or around 1974 and sports a silver tooth. He is, according to the few people who have met him as Banksy, an unassuming and typical-looking man.

His refusal to be interviewed in person or even to reveal his real name has added to his mystique over the years. In the UK (and, increasingly, in other parts of the world) Banksy-spotters claim to know the artist’s real identity on a fairly regular basis. Although he’s been caught on CCTV a few times, he is clever enough to keep his identity a mystery.

There is good reason for leaving us guessing about Banksy. Banksy’s work has been equated with vandalism on several occasions, and many have called for his prosecution. His choice of subject matter coupled with his medium (typically spray paint on public walls) ruffles feathers no matter where he is (or who he is).

Just as controversial as his methods is Banksy’s take on the art world at large. He has been known to deride other artists for their self-importance and “inferior” art forms. He has even taken on the people who buy his art. Following a 2006 Sotheby’s auction of several of his works, he produced an illustration of an auction on his official website featuring the words “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit.” He is a vocal opponent of the organized art world, though he now produces some work that is more conventional than his street art roots.

Banksy’s work is applauded by many, but some critics say that it oversimplifies issues to appeal to the masses. Other critics – most notably, representatives from Keep Britain Tidy – believe that Banksy’s street art is a crime and that he is setting a negative example for other would-be graffiti artists.

Through his talent and his dedication to art and his personal statements, Banksy has become perhaps the most famous anonymous artist ever. We still don’t know his true identity or where he will pop up next, but just mentioning his pseudonym brings a look of recognition to the faces of anyone who knows anything about art.

Love him or hate him, Banksy is without a doubt one of the most influential artists working today. He has affected the art world from Australia to the US and nearly everywhere in between. Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a closer look at Banksy’s work, his influence, and the grand mystery surrounding everything he does.

Karin – Jamaican???? I very much doubt – more like English ex-public schooled drop out.

Who cares who he is?

bowlerkingJuly 16th, 2008 at 9:57 am

How could someone competely anonymous sell artwork? Does he know an auctioneer by face who deals with him directly with cash? Does he have a bank account under the name Bansky? Even then he would need his real name to create and withdraw from it, so his bank teller would know his identity.

DelanaJuly 16th, 2008 at 10:34 am

Karin, there was a photo published not too long ago claiming to show Banksy’s face. His agent denied that it was him, but still insisted the picture be removed from a few websites. It is known that he’s English, though.

Bowlerking, his artwork is sold through a series of agents and similar people. Some of them claim to have never met him themselves. I don’t know exactly how it would work, but apparently he’s found a way! Obviously some people would have to deal with him face-to-face, but he remains anonymous to the public at large.

Johh thoamsJuly 16th, 2008 at 11:07 am

Outstanding! very nice indeed.

JT

Broge KilrainJuly 16th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

I so liked Banskys Girl with balloon that I will make her likness in bronze. You can see the wax mould I will cast on myspace page…check her out and let me know what you think. Of course I will add the heart chaped balloon.
Broge Kilrain

gwai loJuly 17th, 2008 at 12:44 am

don’t know him personally – but know a man who does…
Mr B is a breakdancer from Swindon-done-good who worked a lot with a mate o’ mine. He used to sport a peachfuzz tash on his top lip – trust he’s cleaned up since he’s now a celeb’. Also, he’s a fairly short and squat feller… i wonder how he reaches up to those high pieces?

thoughtbeansJuly 18th, 2008 at 12:54 am

wonderful…..

RingoJuly 18th, 2008 at 5:15 am

Here in Bristol we all know who he is and have done for ages, it’s no big deal. Just wish he’d come and paint on the side of my house ;-)

trixieJuly 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

Well isnt he the Banksy from Swindon that used to breakdance. My ex boyfriend knows him, if this is the same man. Hes medium build, pretty fit body, really short light brown hair and not that tall. Hes a really good dancer too, very talented, actually the more i think about this, the more it adds up. it artist, breakdancer, music! kind of goes hand in hand dont you think!

RoamerickJuly 31st, 2008 at 1:07 am

More graffiti artists like him would make inner cities a lot more interesting. Forget artless tagging, this is what it’s all about.

marekNovember 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 am

i am 23 years old , I’am Marek i love street art and i think a litle nice picture in/on the treet… i am sorry my inglish i am stupid but…
have nice day

no he isnt the dancer BANKSY from Swindon but he does know Banksy and has even had his photo taken next to BANKSY the dancer to take the p*ss for the police. He IS from Swindon though and the swindon police KNOW who he is. This is a word for word copy of a police psychology report:

A POLICE PSYCHOLOGIST REPORT SAID:

The Street artist known only as “BANKSY” would be of a highly imaginative ability & probably someone with a background of working in marketing/advertising and could still be working within that industry, but with the novelty of being able to not have to work for sufficient periods of time. Possibly has “Low latent inhibition” which when suffered by people of a low intellect actually causes serious mental illness. However those with high IQ’s are more often than not “CREATIVE GENIUSES” ie: People such as modern day artists Andrew LLoyd Webber, Damien hirst and in history, Einstein, Mozart and Shakespear. This person would probably also have a natural gift for languages and/or numerics (over active parietal lobe) and capable of memorising semantics by great volume and in short periods of time. Most likely a wrestless individual who chooses their friends carefully and has few but those they do have will be meaningful & long lasting relationships. Theire friends will probably be of a passive and agreeable nature. This is an individual who speaks their mind and would surround themselves will those who share the same values. Someone who would not suffer fools and with evidentally strong political beliefs who would not hesitate to air their views. Has more than likely suffered or is suffering from severe depression (common in creative types) and/or bi-polar. This could be an individual who believes they have been wronged by society and/or a victim of some injustice. Most probably a male and who has already had a brush with the law (no pun intended). Highly likely to be a pet lover and someone who relates/connects better to animals than to humans and as locational patterns show residing in the south-west UK Bristol or London area. On top of all this criteria, they would need “exceptional” climbing and balance skills on a par with someone highly trained in martial arts perhaps and an innate abilty to remain unseen.

END OF REPORT

PRIVATEJanuary 18th, 2009 at 4:24 am

I actually know several people in the wiltshire constabulary and they have all told me including a detective that BANKSY is a Swindon guy going by the name of KADEN
If you look at Kaden.co.uk he flaunts it in code to them and there is nothing they can do……you will see the colour codes on the ARTS BY KADEN are in 4 colours and spell out TAKEN BY BADASS BANKSY and the titles of the peices of work are all anagrams of “I AM BANKSY” or “THE REAL BANKSY” and yes he IS trained in Ninjutsu which will explain how he gets where he gets to do his work and never gets caught.

richard seagerFebruary 21st, 2009 at 3:49 am

This guy puts alot of smiles on peoples faces the man behind the work is a genius. I’m a photographer and have followed his work for a while i have photographed grafitti artists at work but these photos stay on my pc and are never seen. It would be fantastic to follow him around and photograph his work as soon as its done . Long live the legend BANKSY

lordoftheskinsFebruary 21st, 2009 at 3:52 am

keep spraying my good friend it all makes sense to me

VIVA THE REVOLUTION

Unknown Havoc420March 1st, 2009 at 8:44 pm

Madman BANKSY is a stencil/grafitti prodigy!Who carez who he is all that matters iz wut he duz and he also writes from tha heart,so i jus say let him keep writing.I think every1 should free there mindz and see where yor imagination takes you.”FREE ART”

skanbyMarch 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

i don’t work alone..

BombhardMarch 25th, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Hey skanby!!! Is it who I think it is it probably isn’t it’s too ovious banksy wouldn’t of done some shit like that and where I’m from we believe that banksy isn’t just one guy we think it’s a clik of writers who all believe the same thing and all do the exact same thing it does make sense since he’s up soo much and in allot if different countries I would think it’s realy expensive to travel around the world for one person. So u say u don’t work allone if u want to talk email me at cedillo69@gmail.com
And I believe in everything banksy stands for he is probably one of the verry few writers who speek there mind and don’t care what people think about him.

Long live the banksy legacy!

AlaMarch 27th, 2009 at 7:01 am

Banksy is a clever artist =) his art spins me out sometimes

scrapJune 15th, 2009 at 1:28 am

Admire,Respect,Forget.(hail julius.)

BristolGalJuly 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am

He is from Bristol and there is an exhibition in Bristol until the end of August 09 – Banksy versus Bristol Museum